From Dreams to Digital Universes: Game Design of the Future with Mental Image Reconstruction Technology

 
From Dreams to Digital Universes: Game Design of the Future with Mental Image Reconstruction Technology Imagine playing a game where an object you envision instantly appears in the game, or where a dream you had the night before turns into a game level you explore the next day. While it sounds like science fiction, recent advancements in mental image reconstruction (MIR) are making such experiences increasingly possible. For designers with backgrounds in computer engineering and game studies, being able to integrate the depths of the player's mind into gameplay opens up a new frontier for game design. In this article, we will examine the current state of MIR technology and its potential development in the next 5-10 years, exploring its impact on game design and, in particular, the possibilities for dream-based interactive game experiences.

 
The Present and Near Future of Mental Image Reconstruction Technology  
MIR technology focuses on decoding mental images from brain activity. Today, most successful approaches in this field process functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data with artificial intelligence models to reconstruct the images that a person sees or imagines. In recent years, significant progress has been made in this area[1]. For example, in a study published in 2023, researchers managed to reconstruct natural scenes from fMRI signals by using advanced generative AI models known as latent diffusion. Earlier methods could generally capture either low-level features such as shape/texture or high-level features such as object categories; however, with new generative models, both the visual details and meaningful elements of complex scenes can be reflected simultaneously[2][3][4].  
In a sample visual from a study, the real images seen by participants (on the left) and the AI-generated images reconstructed from brain data (on the right) are displayed side by side. This system can decode brain signals obtained from fMRI scans to reproduce images such as a bus, bird, or baseball field that a person saw. While the resulting visuals are not perfect, the essential objects and attributes from the original scene are identifiable[5]. For instance, in the example, the AI can roughly recreate the red bus or bird image that the brain saw. This success is made possible by deep neural networks processing visual features both in visual and semantic (meaning) dimensions; indeed, approaches that incorporate semantic information such as image captions have clearly improved quality, in addition to extracting visual details from brain signals[6].  
Although fMRI is the most common tool in current MIR research, this method is cumbersome and time-limited (measuring brain responses with delays on the order of seconds). In the coming years, faster and more practical brain-reading techniques are expected to emerge. For example, Meta's (Facebook) AI team announced that it has developed a system that decodes activity in the visual cortex of the brain at the millisecond level using MEG (magnetoencephalography) devices[7]. In this 2023 study, MEG data was matched with deep learning models, and the signals generated in the brain as a person perceives a visual were instantly monitored and converted into artificial images. While the resulting images are not fully high-fidelity, they manage to retain the essential elements of the original visual[8]. Most importantly, this system was able to generate a continuous stream of images from brain activity; for the first time, our thoughts could be visualized almost in real-time[9].  
This rapid progress signals major breakthroughs in resolution and speed over the next 5-10 years. With more powerful generative models and improved brain signal decoding techniques, we may see much clearer and more detailed reconstructions of the scenes that arise in our minds. Indeed, researchers emphasize that the performance of MIR largely depends on the capacity of the AI models used, and each new generation of image generation models is expected to further improve brain decoding[10]. Furthermore, current methods such as fMRI may be replaced by wearable EEG headsets or next-generation non-invasive brain sensors. Brain-reading technology, which is currently confined to laboratory settings, could soon turn into portable and real-time devices, even if at low resolution. For example, prototypes of brain interfaces that are small enough to fit on the scalp and have several hours of battery life are already being developed. All these developments will pave the way for MIR to leave the lab and integrate into interactive applications like games.  
Interestingly, the foundations of the MIR concept were laid about a decade ago: in 2013, a team in Japan partially deciphered the dream content of sleeping individuals. In the study led by Yukiyasu Kamitani, the brain signals of subjects who had just fallen asleep (using fMRI + EEG) were recorded and then, upon awakening, the subjects described their dreams. By applying machine learning to the collected data, they could predict the most frequently mentioned objects and concept categories in dreams with up to 60% accuracy[11][12]. This pioneering “dream reading” experiment has now given way to directly decoding visual scenes. In short, scientists are rapidly climbing the ladder toward “mind reading.” In the next 5-10 years, we may witness the emergence of systems that can not only detect seen images but also imagined images—and perhaps even decode original visuals created by thought alone[13]. MIR in Game Design: New Mechanics and Forms of Interaction  
So what kind of magic wand does the ability to read and reconstruct mental images give to game designers? First, brain-computer interfaces offer incredible opportunities to create new game mechanics. Games that use players’ thoughts as direct input can render traditional “devices” like keyboard, mouse, or gamepad obsolete. For example, some pioneering efforts have already shown that game control is possible using EEG (devices that measure brainwaves). In 2024, a streamer proved this by playing a popular action game solely with her mind using a simple EEG headset and custom software[14]. While such systems that translate brainwaves into digital commands are still in their infancy, it may be possible in the future to move a character, solve a puzzle, or attack an enemy in a game just by thinking.  
Beyond this, MIR technology will allow games to sense players’ intentions, imagination, and emotional states in real time. The concept of experiential gameplay refers to game forms that prioritize psychological and affective interaction over linear objectives and place the player's lived experience at the center. MIR can take experiential gameplay to its peak: the game can become an “environment” that dynamically shapes itself according to the player's mental images and feelings. For example, in a horror game, the system could scan the player’s mental images or memories to identify their deepest fears and adapt the game's atmosphere accordingly. Is your mind revealing that you fear spiders? Then spider webs may be added to the game scene, or enemies may take on this theme. In this way, a unique, personalized horror experience is created for each player—without the designer having to hand-craft every scene; the game world evolves according to the mind of each player[15].  
In MIR-supported games, player-game interaction will also become two-way and deep communication, instead of being one-way. Today, interaction is based on the cycle of the player making an input and the game responding to it. But with mind-reading techniques, the game will not only hear the player but also feel them. Knowing that the game detects what you are thinking and imagining will elevate the game experience to a telepathic connection level. Designers can develop dynamic systems that adapt in real-time to the player’s mental state. Gabe Newell (Valve founder) has highlighted this potential, stating that it would be a huge mistake for developers to ignore brain-interface technologies. Valve’s experiments include prototypes that measure enjoyment from the game via brain signals and automatically adjust the difficulty level—if the player starts to get bored, the game “feels” this and ramps up the challenge, or if overstressed, it slows down the pace[16][17]. When such adaptive mechanics are combined with reinforcement learning techniques, a loop can be established in which the game self-optimizes to provide the best experience for each player.  
The very concept of interaction in games will be redefined. Traditionally, interaction is limited to physical actions (button presses, joystick movements, etc.) and audiovisual feedback. With MIR, mental interaction comes into play. If a player is thinking through various solutions while solving a puzzle, the game can detect these thought processes and dynamically provide hints, or conversely, increase the difficulty. In an action game, as the player mentally plans their attack, the game can position enemy AI accordingly—almost like a chess master anticipating the player’s next move and preparing a counter. At this point, in-game AI ceases to be mere reactors to player commands; they become companions or rivals who can directly communicate with the player’s mind.  
Lucid Dreams, the Subconscious, and Integration into Games   Perhaps the most fascinating application of MIR technology will be the visual reconstruction of dreams and their incorporation into the gaming experience. Dreams contain rich and personal stories produced by our subconscious. Imagine these stories being integrated into the game: each player explores a world born from their own dreams; the game’s scenario is shaped by images created by the player's subconscious.  
Researchers are already taking the first steps to record dreams and make them interactive. A technical report presented in 2025 proposed a framework that aims to generate short video narratives from dreams by analyzing brain signals during sleep[18]. In this study, fMRI data is combined with language models to turn the images and events seen in a person’s dream into a coherent narrative flow. In short, it may be possible to “film the dream” by capturing scattered, momentary dream images and combining them with linguistic context. Imagine such technology applied to games: the game could generate a custom mission for you inspired by your dream the previous night, or design a region of the map to resemble places from your dreams. Thus, every playthrough becomes unique and unrepeatable, as the raw material of the game comes from each player's personal dreams.  
Meanwhile, turning dreams into interactive environments is also on the agenda. Lucid dreaming occurs when a person is aware they are dreaming and can partially control the dream content. Scientists and game researchers dream of artificially triggering and directing lucid dreams, turning them into play spaces. Researchers are experimenting with intriguing methods to influence lucid dreams. For example, the Exertion Games Lab’s DreamCeption project designed a closed-loop system to direct dream themes by providing specific stimuli during sleep[19][20][21]. During lucid dreams, blue LED lights, sounds of flowing water, gentle electrical stimuli affecting body balance (GVS), and tactile sensations with water-filled chambers were used to make the dream align with an ocean diving theme. As a result, the sleeping person could alter the content of their dream in real time using external inputs. Such techniques open the door to transforming our dreams into more interactive experiences in the future.  
The idea of turning dreams into entertainment is also gaining ground in the startup world. For example, a startup named Prophetic aims to initiate and sustain lucid dream states by detecting when a user enters the REM phase during sleep using a wearable headband device (“Halo”)[22][23]. The Prophetic team, partnering with the Donders Institute in the Netherlands, utilizes massive EEG and fMRI datasets for lucid dream research and tries to use focused ultrasound technology to externally stimulate the brain for dream control. If this vision comes to fruition, lucid dreams could become the “ultimate VR experience”—it may be possible to experience a version of the video games we play while awake, within the conscious dream environment while sleeping. Imagine: the game you play during the day continues in your dreams at night, or vice versa, a power you gain in your dream is reflected in your character the next morning… As the boundary between game and dream blurs, game designers will gain an entirely new medium.  
Of course, there are practical and ethical considerations in designing dream-based game experiences. First of all, dreams are extremely personal and sometimes chaotic. Even if a designer’s aim is to draw inspiration from dreams, protecting the player’s privacy will be critically important. As mind-reading technology advances, concerns arise about machines decoding even the deepest thoughts of individuals—researchers in the field emphasize that privacy and security must be taken seriously[24]. In game design, integrating dreams may require providing players with control and approval mechanisms, as well as filtering out unwanted subconscious content. Still, when implemented correctly, incorporating dreams can greatly enrich the gaming experience: as players explore their own subconscious, games can offer them a chance to get to know themselves like never before.  
Transformation in Game Design with MIR: Artificial Intelligence and New Paradigms  
Mental image reconstruction and similar neurotechnologies will force us to rethink the fundamental paradigms of game design. Classical game design principles relied on creating content based on the general characteristics of the player base—levels, scenarios, and difficulties were predesigned and offered identically to every player. In MIR-supported games, content will be adapted for each player based on real-time brain data. This may shift the role of the game designer from creating content to curating content and designing systems. Designers will build flexible worlds and AI systems that can handle every possibility; these systems will fill in the details based on input from the player’s mind. For example, an RPG (role-playing game) designer could set up the universe and rules of the game, while deploying an MIR engine that generates the world's visual details from the player’s memories or imagination. As a result, even if two players play the same game, one might explore locations reminiscent of a childhood town, while another embarks on an adventure in a forest often seen in their dreams. The perception of the game will also change at this point: the game becomes not fixed content, but an experience co-created with the player’s mind.  
Artificial intelligence will be at the heart of these new design paradigms. We will rely on AI systems both to interpret data from the player’s brain and to transform it into fun and meaningful game content. In fact, we already see the power of AI in MIR: approaches that convert fMRI data into the latent space of models like CLIP (which match images and text) and then to generative models like Stable Diffusion can turn what the brain sees into a picture[25]. The same principle could be used for content generation in games. When a player imagines a particular image, a generative AI model integrated with the game engine could detect it and convert it into a 3D model or scene suitable for the game. This essentially means creative collaboration between player and AI. In-game AI becomes a dynamic partner that learns from, responds to, and interacts with the player's emotions, thoughts, and dreams, rather than following fixed coded rules.  
Reinforcement learning (RL) can also come into play here. RL is a branch of AI that teaches an agent to learn the best strategy by trial and error. In a game context, an AI agent within the game (such as an adaptive storyteller or dynamic difficulty adjuster) could use the player's brain responses as a reward signal to learn to deliver the ideal gaming experience. For instance, if the game aims to maximize “fun level,” it could detect whether the player is enjoying themselves from brain signals (as in Newell’s example)[26], and immediately take actions to increase that reward signal. This means that personalized paths, which the designer could not foresee at the outset, autonomously emerge during gameplay. In a way, the game could be managed by an AI trained individually for each player to deliver unique experiences.  
When all of this happens, we will see fundamental transformations in game design. Areas like level design will evolve from creating predefined environments to defining parameter spaces and rule sets, because levels will form based on the player’s mind. Narrative design will shift from writing linear stories to building dynamic narrative systems that center on the player’s emotional journey. Even playtesting will change: instead of testing content that manifests differently for every player with a fixed notion of quality, content will be tested by simulating possible mental scenarios with AI. The boundaries of the game world will be limited by the imagination of developers as much as by the imagination of players—perhaps not limited at all.  
Finally, these developments will also transform the gaming experience itself. Gabe Newell, founder of Valve, stated in an interview that with the maturation of brain-connected interfaces, “the real world will seem flat, colorless, and blurry compared to the experiences we can create in our brains”[27][28]. Indeed, games that touch the mind, surpassing the senses, could far outstrip the experiences we now deliver via “screen and speakers.” Maybe we won’t fully reach a Matrix-like brain-machine integration in 5-10 years; however, we could see neurogaming—mind-focused games—becoming mainstream. Games that instantly adapt via neurological feedback and reflect each player’s inner world will take entertainment to a whole new level. Games could even become tools used in areas like therapy or education to work with a person’s subconscious. As the bond between brain and game strengthens, games will become not just a pastime, but also a mental mirror—showing us who we are, what we dream, and what we fear or get excited by.  
Final Word: Toward a Creative Future  
Mental image reconstruction technology and its applications extending to dreams have the potential to radically transform game design. In this article, we have seen both concrete advancements with current research examples and tried to imagine the possibilities that loom on the horizon. From a technical perspective, decoding brain signals and visualizing them with artificial intelligence is now possible and rapidly advancing—studies published in journals like Scientific Reports, as well as R&D initiatives by companies like Meta, are evidence of this. On the other hand, from a game design perspective, using this technology creatively is entirely up to our imagination: making the player's mind a part of the control device, turning dreams into game spaces, shaping games according to the player’s emotional world… All of these are exciting design areas that have rarely been tried before.  
Of course, there are still questions to be answered. As the technology matures, how will we define ethical boundaries? Will players be ready for games that read their minds, or will privacy concerns prevail? Designers will have to find ways to handle player data safely and respectfully. Yet, as we have seen in the past, when a new technology emerges, the gaming industry has known how to use it creatively and often in positive ways.  
Ultimately, mental image reconstruction offers tremendous inspiration for game developers and research-focused game designers. Incorporating the most mysterious aspects of the human brain—imagination and dreams—into games can enrich not only entertainment but also the human experience itself. The coming decade will witness experiments where the world of games meets the world of the mind. As a result, the games produced from this encounter may even define a new form of interaction that surpasses today’s very concept of “game.” As both players and designers, witnessing and shaping this creative transformation will be a unique opportunity. Our dreams and minds are the next frontier of games—and we are already beginning to step toward that frontier.